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I’m not sure if I’m becoming more anti-social or what. I have no desire to meet new people. I don’t know what to say to people, even neighbors, unless we already have at least one shared story. Maybe I need to carry a list of conversation starters.

If I come in on a conversation I can often join – I know a lot of useless shit about a lot of subjects, after all. But starting talking with somebody I don’t know? Nope.

Not going anywhere with this – just enunciating it for the first time.

My fiance and I took a compatibility quiz. Some of the questions involved spirituality. In my case, perhaps, a LACK of spirituality might be more appropriate. And I think that I’m just fine with that.

I grew up Catholic. I spent 8 years in a Catholic grade school (grades 1 – 8). We went to mass every week and on every Holy Day. My parents would even look up the nearest Catholic church in the yellow pages whenever we were on vacation, or just out of town for the weekend. Obviously it has some meaning for them. I just have a hard time tying in the concept of God with the concept of any organized religion that I’ve seen.

As so many people have pointed out, would a just God allow all the evil we see in the world today? I agree with that concept, but I have another thought. The God of the Bible, especially the Old Testament, was very involved in his people’s lives. I find it hard to believe that same God, being ever-living, takes virtually no part in the world today. At least no direct part. Yes, you can pray. And some people think it makes a real difference in the world. Maybe it does in their lives just by improving their attitude or calming them down. I just don’t see that as divine intervention.

Also, why would a supreme being feel the need for our constant worship? That just seems so needy and immature… 😉

I allow that there is probably a greater force in the universe. It just seems too random to have our planet develop with sentient beings and no intelligence to have created it. So I’d say I’m more agnostic than atheist. Maybe there is a religion out there that explains everything for me. I have not seen it though.

Christianity? Well, I don’t believe in the divinity of Christ, so that’s out. Judaism? Like I said, where did the God of the Old Testament go? Islam? It’s based on the Old Testament and refuses to evolve. Any religion that treats women like that is not the choice for me anyway.

I like the concept of Karma. It’s just that I see too many instances where it just never happens. Too many bad people have good things happen for them. And I find it hard to believe that they are rich or in a position of power due to their good behavior in a prior life – how could you be that big of an asshole now if this is your higher existence?

What about an Earth based spirituality? I think it’s a good thing to honor the Earth, and treat it well, but I don’t ascribe it mystical powers. Sorry, I just can’t do it.

My beliefs are fairly simple. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Every person is deserving of dignity. Every person has the right to make their own decisions, as long as those decisions do not harm others. You have the right to religious freedom, and can practice however you like, as long as it doesn’t infringe upon the rights of others (or involves hurting animals).

I think a first blog post should say a bit about the title, and where it comes from. Mine seems self explanatory. I grew up in Iowa, and I now live in Georgia. I am male. Hence the name! But as I’m rapidly approaching my 46th birthday perhaps ‘Boy’ isn’t quite right. Screw it.

I left Iowa in 1994, on October 11th. I went to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and from there flew out the next day to San Antonio, Texas, for Air Force basic training. I have not lived in Iowa since. SO, I guess you could say I’m an Iowa boy in Georgia by way of Nevada, England, and New Mexico. I think that’s too lengthy for a blog title, though!

When push comes to shove though, I’m still an Iowa boy at heart. My parents still live in Spencer, in the same house they bought 2 years before I was born. As much as I’ve moved, I have a place I can always call home, and I love it. Sometimes it takes moving away to fully appreciate what you had. People hear “small town Iowa” and they think boredom. But I remember freedom, and security. There was no violence, no poverty, no hunger. No, it was not the most exciting place in the world. You half to give a little to get a little. We grew up with a first rate education. We could play outside with no fear of others. We could still watch the Super Bowl on TV. It’s a longer trip to the airport, admittedly. However, you can look up in the sky and see endless stars. Try that in Atlanta! You’re lucky to see 5 or 10 on a good day.

Enough of that!

Why a blog? Eventually I plan on making a living by writing. And the only way to become a better writer is to write! And writing where people can read it and provide feedback (good and bad) can speed up the process. If you only write for yourself and refuse to share it it’s hard to make a living out of it! Obviously this post isn’t about that. It’s about finally writing something down for a blog I started 5 or 6 weeks ago. An empty blog is pretty much pointless (yes, many full blogs are, too – shut up!).